Up First from NPR – December 9, 2024

Hosts: Leila Fadel, Michelle Martin, and Greg Myhre

1. The Fall of Bashar al-Assad's Regime in Syria

Overview: After 54 years of authoritarian rule, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia amidst a significant rebel advance into Damascus. This marks the end of Assad's brutal reign and ushers in a new era for Syria, filled with uncertainty and hope.

Key Points:

• Regime Collapse: Assad’s departure follows an 11-day rebel offensive that swiftly dismantled his regime, which had held power since 1970. The rebel forces were led by an Islamist group still designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. (00:07).

• Syrian Reactions: The Syrian populace is experiencing a mix of jubilation and disbelief. Celebrations have erupted across the country, reflecting relief after over a decade of devastating civil war. However, there are also signs of looting and the discovery of the Assad family's opulent lifestyle juxtaposed against the widespread poverty endured by Syrians (02:17, 04:19).

• Prisoner Liberation: Scenes of prisoners being freed from Sednaya prison, notorious for torture and mass executions, highlight the regime's collapse. Over 100,000 detainees remain unaccounted for, with families desperately searching for their loved ones (04:32).

• Austin Tice’s Fate: Among the detainees is Austin Tice, an American journalist who has been missing for 12 years. President Biden expressed hope that Tice is alive and urged Syrians to assist in his return (05:32).

Notable Quotes:

• Ruth Sherlock: "People are dazed and incredulous... The regime collapsed in the space of just over a week." (03:02)

• Ruth Sherlock: "You have to send them all back." – Referring to mixed-status families and the potential for widespread deportations (12:26)

2. U.S. Airstrikes Targeting ISIS in Syria

Overview: In response to the power vacuum created by Assad’s ouster, the United States has conducted significant airstrikes against ISIS targets in central Syria. These operations aim to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and stabilize the region.

Key Points:

• Airstrike Details: The U.S. military executed a large-scale airstrike hitting approximately 75 ISIS targets. This move addresses the gathering of ISIS fighters who might exploit the current turmoil (06:27).

• Continued U.S. Presence: Around 900 U.S. troops remain in Syria to monitor and counter any ISIS resurgence. President Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining this presence to support Syrian efforts in forming a new government (06:10).

• Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS): Although HTS, the de facto governing group in Syria, remains on the U.S. terrorist list, indications suggest they may adopt a more moderate stance. Biden acknowledged this shift but stressed that the U.S. would vigilantly monitor HTS’s actions (07:11).

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Myhre: "We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum." (00:28)

• Greg Myhre: "The US says it hit some 75 targets..." (06:27)

• Ruth Sherlock: "Losing Syria will deal a huge blow to Iran and its proxies in the region." (09:10)

3. President Elect Donald Trump’s First Network TV Interview

Overview: President-elect Donald Trump sat down for his first network television interview since winning the election. Addressing his vision for the second term, Trump outlined his policy priorities and hinted at his approach to governance.

Key Points:

• Policy Priorities: Trump emphasized immigration reform, focusing on securing the border and implementing what he terms "groceries." He also lauded the effectiveness of tariffs in boosting the economy and declared his intent to maintain access to abortion pills (10:03, 10:16).

• Unity and Success: While advocating for national success as a form of retribution, Trump conveyed a message of unity, suggesting that the country’s prosperity would naturally lead to societal harmony (10:38, 11:02).

• Controversial Statements: Trump made ambiguous remarks regarding the January 6th committee, expressing a desire for retribution through success but also implying harsh consequences for committee members, though specifics were unclear (11:21, 11:53).

• Immigration Stance: He proposed legislative solutions for Dreamers and expressed a contentious view on birthright citizenship, acknowledging that changing it would require a constitutional amendment. Additionally, Trump suggested the deportation of criminals initially, with potential expansion to broader groups, raising concerns about family separations (12:20).

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump: "I'm looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success." (11:02)

• Greg Myhre: "I think everybody on the... Anybody that voted in favor of." (11:43)

• Tamara Keith: "It's not entirely clear what he thinks they should go to jail for." (11:56)

4. Geopolitical Implications for Iran and Russia

Overview: The downfall of Assad has significant ramifications for key regional players like Iran and Russia, both of which have been staunch allies of the Assad regime.

Key Points:

• Iran’s Loss: Iran’s strategic use of Syria as a conduit for weapons to Hezbollah and its broader regional influence will be severely impacted. The collapse of the Assad regime weakens Iran’s proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, leading to increased anxiety within Tehran (08:26, 09:10).

• Russia’s Setback: Russia, traditionally a principal supporter of Assad, has also suffered a major loss of influence in Syria. Preoccupied with the war in Ukraine, Russia was unable to provide significant support during the regime’s collapse, marking a diminishment of its regional power (09:24, 09:26).

Notable Quotes:

• Ruth Sherlock: "Losing Syria will deal a huge blow to Iran and its proxies in the region." (09:10)

• Greg Myhre: "They are still designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. aren’t they?" (07:11)

Conclusion

This episode of Up First from NPR delves into the seismic shifts occurring in Syria with the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, the United States' strategic responses to maintain regional stability, and President-elect Donald Trump’s articulated plans for his forthcoming administration. The intertwined geopolitical consequences affecting Iran and Russia further underscore the complexity and far-reaching impact of these developments.

Produced by: Ziad Butch, Katie Klein, and Ben Abrams
Edited by: James Hyder, Andrew Sussman, Roberta Rampton, H.J. Mai, and Alice Wolfley
Technical Direction: Carly Strange

Notable Time-Stamps:

• 00:03 - 00:15: Introduction to Assad’s regime collapse
• 02:17 - 05:57: On-the-ground reactions in Syria
• 06:10 - 09:41: U.S. airstrikes and geopolitical implications
• 09:52 - 13:17: Trump’s interview and policy positions

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